Famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump is perhaps most known for his legal representation of Breonna Taylor’s and Trayvon Martin’s families. Still, now the 51-year-old appears to be taking on Johnson & Johnson.
According to ABC News, Crump reportedly filed a lawsuit against the conglomerate, claiming the corporation’s baby powder product was marketed to Black women. The popular baby item had been found to contain asbestos.
According to the American Cancer Society, “evidence from studies in both people and lab animals has shown that asbestos can increase the risk for some types of cancer.”
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The conglomerate has been involved in multiple lawsuits over the years, with reported victims allegedly citing issues from hair loss and scalp irritation to ovarian cancer concerning their products.
ABC News reported that Crump stated in a recent news conference about taking the corporation to task, “I would be remiss if I did not say exactly what this lawsuit is about. It is about the lives of our grandmothers, our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our nieces, and our wives, and how they were sinisterly targeted by Johnson and Johnson.”
“Black women have always been the backbone of this country, standing up for everyone but receiving the least amount of respect. Well, it is time that we stand up for Black women.”
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The North Carolina native also took to his Instagram on Thursday to discuss the lawsuit. Touching on accountability, he continued, “For decades, Black women have used Johnson & Johnson’s talcum-based baby powder without knowing its potential danger! Johnson & Johnson must be held accountable & legally responsible for failing to inform users of the ovarian cancer risks of their harmful product!”
An internal presentation by the company in 2006 seemingly mentioned a marketing opportunity between their baby powder and Black women, according to Reuters, with a portion allegedly stating, “Powder is still considered a relevant product among AA consumers,” and “This could be an opportunity.”
According to ABC News, the organization reportedly challenged the lawsuit’s claims by stating that their marketing is “multicultural and inclusive.”
No word on when the suit will play out in court.
